I have been inspired yet again

I have been inspired yet again, this time it is with a pair of socks. A long time ago the yarnharlot made a pair of rotating rib socks. She basically tells you how to do them. However for those of you wanting to make a pair of these (but need line by line instructions) there is hope! I am currently knitting these, and writing what I do. Mind you I am going to make a few changes (like using magic lop for these socks, and heel and toe changes). Also keep in mind that I do not own this pattern. It has been done before (probably by hundreds of people in the past). So when I finish the write up, I will post it.

And just for giggles here is a photo of what I have so far. Mind you this picture does the yarn and stitch definition no justice at all, but I will post a better pic later on.

A couple days away from christmas

So, here it is December 23, a couple days away from Christmas and I still have 4 hats to knit (2 of which I need measurements for). I am currently working on the brim of a hat and hopefully I will finish this hat tomorrow and start on the other hat. The last 2 will be a little late, but people will still get their hats in a somewhat timely manner. However, I do find that after knitting 5 hats (basically nonstop), I want to knit something else. And I don’t care even it is a scarf! At least it is something different! So, to appease my sanity instead of posting pictures of hats (which might be dangerous to my mental health) I am going to post pictures of scarves (and other non hat like items).

Aida’s Hat recipe

Here is the recipe for a hat I designed on the fly. Please know that this hat has not been test knit. Please click the following link to view Aida’s hat.

Aida’s Hat

and here are a couple pictures

And if you make this hat (using “my” recipe that I just gave you) I would love to see pictures!!

Bombarded by hats

I thought that I only had three to four hats in total to knit. Oh no! I was totally wrong, for my lovely husband asked me to knit four more hats. Making my grand total eight. All of this a WEEK before Christmas. So it is with sadness in my heart that I tell you that I will not be knitting on sweaters or scarves or anything else christmas related (until I get the hats done that is). Because for now, I am bombarded by hats.

I seriously feel like I have hats coming out my ears, and what is worse is that one hat I am designing (because I couldn’t find ANY hat pattern I liked for a four year old). If my readers are lucky I might write “pity” instructions on how to knit this hat. But that will not be for sometime. Right now all you need to know (right now) is, I am bombarded by hats. And unfortunately that is probably ALL I will talk about until they are done. i hope you are safe and warm my dear knitters (and not bombarded by hats).

2 hats down more to go

This post is going to be short and sweet (because I have Christmas knitting to do). I have been doing Christmas knitting for what seems (and I have to remind myself it probably has been) days. I am still working on the baby surprise jacket. However, I have 2 christmas hats done and at least 2 more to go. Then all I have to do is knit a Man’s sweater, socks (for more then one person) and whatever else I have forgotten. For now, I am off making more hats. Stay warm by dear knitters and non knitters!

P.S. I am rooting for all the knitters out there, you finish that knitting! You can do it!!!

Finally, on to more christmas knitting

So yesterday I decided to rip out the hat and actually make the hat according to the needle size stated. I had used a smaller needle size because I wanted the fabric to be more warm and more thick (if that makes sense). But sadly, when I did this I would only knit maybe a few stitches and then my hands would scream bloody murder at me and say something like “You bloody fool, why are you subjecting me to this. I do not deserve to be treated this way!!!.” Followed along with many profanities that would burn this website if I wrote them.

Anyway, I am proud to say that the hat is done, the pattern I used was The Monk Hat. I will caution you on the side of error. This hat pattern is like popcorn (or pistachios, potato chips or whatever else you can never eat just one of). This hat is a very quick knit and warm to boot! A picture of the finished item can be found on my Ravelry page. My Rav id is Ayla.

Now on to more Christmas knits

The christmas knitting goes slowly

I have been working on christmas knitting for awhile now, I honestly don’t think I have that much to knit. However one of the projects goes very slowly and I am trying to figure out what to do. I am knitting the monk hat on size 8 (5mm) needles. It is circular, and granted shouldn’t take very long but it is. I have more stitches granted but I do not think it is the stitches fault. I believe that it is the acrylic yarn I am using. Normally I would use a fiber like alpaca or wool. But my mother in law is allergic to wool (and I don’t have alpaca in the colors she wants). In actuality she requested these colors and I went with it. Thinking “This should work up fast and be no problem at all”

How wrong I was. Normally I can finish a hat in a day (depending on the pattern). But this one goes slowly, and it hurts my hands if I work on it for too long. So what should I do? Rip it out and use bigger needles? Although I don’t really want to do that. I want it to be nice and as toasty warm as it can be. *Sigh* I will have to think about how to approach this. Well I hope your christmas knitting is going more smoothly then mine is. Stay warm, my dear knitters.

Doing research

I am reminded of last year around this time that it was -19.4 Celsius outside. That is too cold for my taste. So, finally after years of not having gloves or mittens; I have decided to make thrummed mittens. Yes I know, I am Krazy. We all know this. But I will not have cold hands anymore, I flat refuse to have cold hands. Cold hands just plain suck.

So I am doing research into learning not only how to make mittens but also how to thrum them at the same time. These will be my first ever mittens (and thrummed mittens at the same time). Know of any websites have have a step by step photo tutorial? If so leave a comment. Well I hope you stay warm my dear knitters. I am off to do research!

Christmas gifts for knitters

Unlike the beautiful yarnharlot, I cannot come up with 25 days of knitting gifts for knitters (yet). But here are my suggestions and I hope that they help all non knitters figure out something to gift their beautiful or handsome knitter in the family.

Needles. Yes we probably have many around the house, and the only reason you know this is because you either see them floating around the house or have gotten stuck by one. However, here are the brands that I like because they are durable (at least to me, I have been known to bend needles which is why I go for metal and not wood but this is just me.) The companies are below

Hiya hiya (metal, I believe they make circular but I have only used their dpns (double pointed needles)
ChiaoGoo red lace (metal and circular to boot)
addi turbo (metal,they make straight and and circular needles)

Other things a knitter needs (if they do not already have one) is/are:
Swift. It is basically a yarn holder so your knitter can wind yarn into balls. If you are crafty yes, you can make one for your knitter.
Ball winder (if you are crafty you can make one)
Knitting bag
Needle gauge (Yes, we may even have many of these as well, but you can never have too many in my opinion.)
Lotion (for those long winter knits where your knitters hands get dry)
Soap – I like soaps with either shea butter, olive oil or coconut oil in them. Soaps can have a variety of oils but as long as they contain at least one of these oils, you knitter should thank you. For these oils do wonders for the hands. Mind you, please get homemade natural soap, yes they are more expensive but your knitter is worth it and also find out if your knitter has a scent or other allergy you should be aware of, before purchasing the soap.

That is all I can think of for now. If I do think of anything else I will make another post. For now I am going to watch my kid, go to my appointment later this afternoon and go take a nap. I think I am coming down with something, which sucks. But, please stay warm and healthy my dear knitters and non knitters a like.

Christmas Fumes are officially upon us

Today is December 1st (If you haven’t looked at a calendar yet) and today is the official day that the christmas fumes are upon us. But, don’t panic! I know we knitters have a lot of christmas knitting to get done. If you are the type to plan and knit early, kudos to you! However, I am not that type of knitter. So, let me give you a few tips that might help us get through the christmas fumes together.

Tips:
* make a list.
* cast on for your project(s) (if you have enough needles that is).
* don’t go to movies if you are doing cable or anything fancy like lace.
* take your time.
* if you get tired of a project, take a break from it and work on the another one that you have going.
* knit everyday even if it is only for 5 minutes a day, something is better then nothing.
* knitting on circulars (to me) makes things a lot easier, no losing a straight needle and sobbing because your local yarn shop isn’t open until monday.

Hopefully this will help you.

Personal note (Christmas fume knitting list):
* Finish BSJ
* Hat
* Sweater
* Socks (4 pairs)
* Mittens

P.S. It is officially winter where I live, it is snowing!!