Crocheted Christmas Gift #1 Revealed!

Pattern: Bernat's Haven pattern (free!)

Yarn: about 4.25 balls of Elann's Pamir in Kirsch

Hook: Size US N


Reactions:

-Pattern: I taught myself to crochet right before I put it aside in favor of learning to knit, so even though I crochet from time to time, I'm a beginner. The first Christmas gift I made this year was actually not knitted, but crocheted. I made a wrap for my coworker, J. She, like me, is constantly cold in our office, so I hope this wrap will help keep her toasty whilst typing away at her desk. Though I prefer knitting and the results of knitting to crocheting, I do recognize that crochet has it's place. In this case, I had a the Elann yarn already selected to make a wrap for my coworker, but couldn't find a suitably lacy knit pattern for aran weight yarn, but there were plenty of crochet pattern options. This particular pattern has a lot going for it: it's easy, quick, and free! I'm really happy with the results. The size is perfect for the office- not super big, but not a skimpy/borderline scarf-ish.

-Yarn: Neat yarn- it has a handspun kind of quality to it. It's thick and thin and has a nice mohair halo (I think it's evident by now that I love a halo). Crocheted-up, this yarn is super toasty! Even with a holey pattern like Havenly, the mohair/wool blend keeps a lot of insulation. I love this Kirsch color! It's very vibrant, slightly blue-red. It'll look terrific with J's coloring, and fit perfectly with her wardrobe, which is a lot of graphic black and white.

Knitted Christmas Gift #2 Revealed!

Pattern: Ruched Scarf, my own pattern

Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Baby Cashmere in Cashmere Blue- 3.5 balls

Needles: Size 7 Brittnay Birch Straights and Size 3 Clover Bamboo Straights


Reactions:

-Pattern: In keeping with a coworker-declared mandate that our office must make gifts for one another this year, I knitted this scarf for my boss. She's a very petite woman who dresses in crisply tailored suits with a few feminine touches, and in a very restricted color palette of black, cream, beige and the occasional splash of powder blue or lipstick red. I had success choosing a pair of earrings for her last year that she wears on a regular basis, so I was looking forward to trying to knit her something that would work with her aesthetic. I decided a little ruched scarf, something that could be thrown casually around the neck and worn in our arctic office and look sophisticated and ladylike, was just the ticket. You'll notice that this knitted Christmas gift is listed as #2, and yet I'm only revealing it now. That's because the actual knitting of this scarf was bor-ing, and we don't actually exchange gifts until later this week, so I got this one started early and then put it on the back burner.
The 'pattern', if you will, is simply a cast on of 60 stitches with size 7's, *stockinette for 16 rows, then k2tog across using size 3's, knitting 5 more garter stitch rows with the small needles, then kfb across using the 7's again, repeat from * until sufficient length is reached, then 16 more stockinette rows.

-Yarn: This yarn is called "Baby Cashmere", but the cashmere content is only 10%. Still, for the price, it's a nice yarn. Pretty soft (though I think that the baby alpaca used is not the best quality-- every now and then I felt a fiber go through my fingers that was a little prickley. Because of the alpaca, this yarn has a fine halo that helps it look full even with knitted with size 7's. The color happens to be just what I was looking for for my very particular boss, and luckily Elann's online color representations are true to life, at least on my monitor.

Knitted Christmas Gift #11 Revealed!

Pattern: Pillow cover, my own pattern/none

Yarn: Orange tweedy wool blend stash yarn, from Elann at least 7 (!) years ago and Chocolate Wool of the Andes from the stash

Needles: Addi Turbo Size 8 40" circulars

Other: 12" x 12" pillow insert and faux horn buttons from JoAnn Fabrics


Reactions-

-Pattern: Again, no real pattern here. I just cast on 100 stitches and joined in the round, then knit garter stitch (in the round, so, k one row, purl the next), then bound off 50 stitches when I reached the right dimensions, knitting garter stitch flat for the pillow case flap. I decided to add a brown block randomly, but it was a good thing, actually. I finished the pillow with just three yards of orange tweedy stuff left over, which I used to whip stitch the bottom of the pillow closed and create 5 button hole loops. Simple, and not too time consuming.

-Yarn: Man, I cannot BELIEVE this yarn is 7 years old. Do you know what that means? It means I've been calling myself a knitter for 7.5 years. And it means I am getting old. I bought this yarn online when I was a freshman in college, when I'd just taught myself to knit and just discovered the treacherous world of online shopping. I tried knitting something with it right away- a 4 inch rectangle of garter stitch, and left it languishing in my stash ever since. I thought about throwing it out once or twice, but being a die-hard pack rat, I kept it. The yarn's fine, if something of a novelty yarn. It has little bits of confetti-colored acrylic throughout, but from a short distance, this reads as tweedish. It has a thick and thin quality to it, and actually will go well with my coworker's home interior, I hope.

Holiday Block in Brooklyn

This post is for my Nate, who requested pictures of my neighborhood.

Merry Christmas!

Knitted Christmas Gift #9 Revealed!

Pattern: Baby Bamboo Stripey Scarf for Lil MC, my own pattern

Yarn: Bernat Bamboo yarn in Corn and Dill, 1 skein each

Needles: Size 9 thrifted aluminum straights

Reactions:

- Pattern: Again, this project was so simple, it doesn't seem right to call it a pattern, but still. I wanted to knit a baby-sized scarf for Lil MC because I find it hilarious to dress babies up in clothes with structure, or that require a certain jauntiness to pull off. I also was just gifted by a coworker with two balls of this bamboo yarn and I was dying to try it for the first time. Straight-forward garter stitch over maybe 25 stitches + 2 rows of each color, alternating until yarn runs out = baby scarf!

-Yarn: Ooh, this was very nice. Smooth, cool to the touch, very shiny.... What's not to like? I will definitely get this stuff again for future baby projects. The yarn is very loosely plied with a small (nylon?) thread, so it's kind of got a boucle quality to it. I like the color choices offered in the line, but I wish they would stray a bit further from traditional baby colors. A nice slate would be a good addition, making the combination possibilities more versatile.

Knitted Christmas Gift #8 Revealed!

Pattern: Oregon Winter Horizon Scarf for my dad, my own pattern

Yarn: Patons' SWS in Natural Wood and Natural Denim, 1 skein each

Needles: Bryspun 29 inch circular needles, size 9

Reactions:

-Pattern: I went to Michael's with my sister early in my visit to buy supplies for fun crafting with her. The plan was that my sister would have a whole day to sit around and do crafts and watch movies and bake cookies...that didn't happen. Anyway, I wanted to knit something simple to keep my hands busy and also because I am teaching my sister to knit, so a plain old garter stitch scarf was the perfect answer. Knitting two rows of each color, I just carried the yarn along the side rather than breaking yarn and weaving in all those ends. Simple, simple, simple. It wasn't really intended to be for anyone, but luckily it had an admirer.

-Yarn: This yarn is lovely to look at! I'm impressed with Patons' new yarn selections. The colorways and yarn content are very nice. Unfortunately, this SWS is pretty itchy when knit up, but it has a fantastic halo. Luckily, my dad LIKED the feel of this scarf against his face, and after testing it out, he asked me who the scarf was for. Sold! The colors I chose for this scarf are evidence of a deep fascination I have with topaz-like browns, blues and greys- reminds me of the ambiguous, shady hues seen along the horizon of the wooded hills in Oregon (hence the project's name). The "Natural Wood" colorway was a solid, but the "Natural Indigo" was an ombre, and I think the color transition looks nice split up between the bars of brown.

-Needles: This was my first chance to use Bryspun's needles, and I really liked them! I have avoided them in the past, thinking plastic couldn't be good, but I admit I was wrong. They're lightweight, flexible, and have a balance of both slick and grip to their surface. The circular cord is very light and bendy. The best thing about them though, is their tips! They're slightly concave, and they seem to grab the yarn when knitting. I loved that!

Knitted Christmas Gift #7 Revealed!

Pattern: Basic Man Beanie for BIL N, my own pattern

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (Chocolate), Cascade 220 (Squirrel Heather), and Plymouth Tweed (Lemon Tweed)

Needles: Size 8 Brittnay Birch dpns


Reactions:

-Pattern: This is technically "my own pattern", but really, it's hardly a pattern. It's just k2, p2 around for about 10 inches over 72 stitches, and then k2tog around, then another k1, p1 around, then k2tog around and around until there are just a few stitches on the needles, then break yarn and weave the tail through the live stitches. Oh yeah, and I knitted a yellow tweedy stripe, outlined in a stone color. I see now that the pictures clearly show the jog, but due to the ribbing, this is much less noticeable in real life. I love a simple k2, p2 rib. So stretchy and versatile. See? The hat fits both N and his son, Lil MC!

-Yarn: Not much to be said here that I haven't already said about some good, basic worsted yarns (Wool of the Andes and Cascade 220). This was my first time using the Plymouth Tweed, though, and I really enjoyed it. The Lemon Tweed color is bright and wonderful, with crazy flecks of lime, orange, and white. The yardage is great, and Plymouth offers some other outlandishly bright colors that I'll have to try soon. As bright as it is on its own, it blends in and mellows well next to the neutrals used for the rest of the hat. My BIL likes it, and look how well it matches with his Powell's sweatshirt! He's asked for a matching scarf, which I will get to some time in the next 5 years.

Knitted Christmas Gift #6 Revealed!

Pattern: Fingerless Mitts for Brother T, my own pattern

Yarn: Handpainted Yarn's Worsted, colorway forgotten, 1 skein

Needles: Size 8 Brittnay Birch dpns


Reactions:

-Pattern: As you might remember from last year, knitting simple fingerless mitts is an addiction of mine. I wanted to make something very simple, useful and "hip" for my brother, the college student, and again I convinced myself that fingerless mitts were the answer. My brother has long, narrow hands, so I knit the finger section longer than one might expect, but they fit him like a glove (he he).



-Yarn: I had this great, manly colorway (They aren't really purple, like shown above. They're more black and brown.) patiently waiting in my stash, and thought it would be just the thing to give a little extra something-something to this project. Look at how the colors pooled and spiraled around the mitts! I like it- looks like flames.

Knitted Christmas Gift #5 Revealed!

Pattern: Strawberry Hat for Sister J, my own pattern

Yarn: Cascade Pastaza in Cherry, a little less than 1 ball

Needles: Size 8 Brittnay Birch dpns


Reactions:

-Pattern: I had such a time trying to get my sister's gift right this year! Before flying to Portland, I tried 3 different projects, nearly completing each before realizing that it was all wrong, and abandoning it. I was so frustrated to have nothing to show for all my efforts, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish anything in time for the gifting events in Oregon. On my second day, though, I begged my brother to take me to Abundant Yarns, close to my family's house. That night I cast on for the hat, knowing only that I wanted it to be more voluminous than a beanie, but less slouchy than a snood-type hat. The pattern took shape quickly, and soon, I had a final product! I really like the structure of this hat. It's not droopy at all, but instead has a semi-rigid, formable volume to it.

-Yarn: I really love this yarn! While the resulting fabric is a little itchy (luckily, Sis says she's not hyper itch-sensitive), it was soft to work with and has the rustic, slightly thick and thin quality to it that I love. The llama fibers, being longer and sorta wiry, contributed to the structured end product, and provided a nice halo of fuzz.

Knitted Christmas Gift #4 Revealed!

Pattern: Woven Trellis Scarf by Kristen TenDyke, from Vogue Knits Holiday Issue 2006

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Black Cherry Heather

Needles: Brittany Birch dpns, size 8

Modifications: none


Reactions:

-Pattern: I had this project in mind for my mom since last year, when the pattern was featured on the cover of Vogue Knits. The look of the finished scarf was really neat, and unlike entrelac scarves that have a similar woven look, this one was reversible. The instructions were clear, but the actual knitting was ETERNAL. Sooooo much knitting, all the long finished cords flapping around when you're knitting the last few-- ugh. My sister gasped when she saw the scarf, but I quashed her hopes right away. I'm never making another one of these! I'll opt for an entrelac version next time. However, I do love the tactility of this scarf. It's so squishy, and you can really play with its volume, either pulling it longer and narrower, or fluffing it up.

-Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes is a work horse staple in my stash. This was the first time I used the heathered variety, though, and it seemed much smoother and silkier to knit with. I like it! There was very slight variation in the shade from yard to yard, which really emphasized the texture in the end result.

Knitted Christmas Gift #3 Revealed!

Pattern: Boiled Wool Flap Cap for my Dad, my own pattern

Yarn: Cascade 220 and KnitPicks Wool of the Andes

Needles: Size 8 Brittnay birch dpns


Reactions: This was an enjoyably quick holiday knit. I didn't begin with the intentions of fulling the wool, but my end product was a bit bigger than expected, and I'm really happy with the way the wool transformed when boiled (on the stove, in a big enamel pot) and aggitated (with two big wooden spoons). The Cascade got so soft, and the little purl/knit stripes came to life with the haze created by the fulling technique. My dad says this hat is so soft and comfy. Doesn't he look happy with it?

Christmas 2007 Part I

I returned to New York this morning via a red eye flight out of Portland. I can't believe that was a week I just spent there! It wasn't nearly enough time to catch up with family and friends.



I'm happy to report that my Pepere is doing AMAZINGLY well! I was so happy to finally join the rest of my family and support him in person at the hospital. (These first two pictures were taken on the way down to visit him.) The first time I walked into his room, he even had the scarf I made him draped over him. He's just as sharp and funny as he's always been, and the recovery will continue, I'm sure. He is so strong.



Now that I'm back, I can start posting some of the knitted gift reveals! I gave my family their gifts a bit early so I could see them open them in person. One gift that was knitted while there, though, I'll post right now. It wasn't actually planned out, and it was such a quick knit, it would feel wrong to give it it's own post.



It is certainly worth sharing here, though, thanks to the adorable model: Mr. Lil' MC! I knitted him a chunky red elf hat one night out of Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky. Agh! Sooo cute! He truly is elfin-like- always cheerful.



More holiday gift knits coming soon!

Coming Soon... Knitted Christmas Gifts Unveiling

I haven't had much to share in the knitting department for the past few months because I've basically only been knitting Christmas gifts, and of course it would kind of ruin the surprise if I posted my project progress here. However, I'm leaving for Portland, Oregon to celebrate an early Christmas in December, and this means that I will soon be revealing the projects that have kept me busy all fall. Watch for it!