I slept on it

and changed my mind.

I really, really want to make this dark green yarn into a moss stitch vest. It was my original intention for this yarn anyway, so I'm going back to it. I had originally started it as a cardigan style vest but that wasn't working for me. I ended up frogging that attempt. This time I'll make it a pullover. I hope this works out this time; this poor yarn is just crying out to be knitted up and worn.

In other news

Wee Bairn has arrived! I have a brand new niece. Technically, she arrived on Thursday so this is a bit late. I just got some pictures today and she got her mom's hair for sure.

Since I absolutely hate the whole "pink for girls, blue for boys" thing (blue is my favorite colour!), I won't be making her anything pink unless and until she asks for pink. Maybe this kid'll swim against the stream. I can hope, right?

There's something wrong

with Blue Moss.  I'm not quite sure what; it could even just be that moss stitch is very time consuming. It's resting for a bit. Not frogged or anything, just resting.

Since I still can't decide if I want the Ugly Christmas Sweater to be a pullover or a cardigan I've started another sweater in the mean time. Don't have a name for it yet but it's a lovely dark green. This one will be a pullover for sure; mind you,I'm still on the sleeves so there's plenty of time to change my mind.

Wordless Wednesday

Smoke

We haven't been troubled much by smoke from the fires burning all around us this year. Until today. Today it was quite hazy with drifting forest fire smoke.

Finished

First though, guess who has managed to do Flyball correctly two weeks in a row!! Way to go Soccer! Maybe, just maybe, we'll get to another tournament.

Knitting

Finished the Small Blanket on the knitting board. An interesting technique; I think I'll try using it to make a picture or something next time since I can definitely see how I could use this technique to do some really interesting colour work. I do wish the blanket was made of wool though so I could block it more square. This is one of the reasons I don't care much for acrylic; it doesn't block worth speaking of.

Pattern: Improvised
Yarn: Red Heart Comfort Solids
Gauge: 3.25 stitches/inch

Wordless Wednesday

Halfway

Broke out the tape measure and found that I'm half way finished the Small Blanket. Feels like it's riddled with mistakes.

The Neglected

Had to back track a bit on the Ugly Christmas Sweater, it was too big around so I frogged the body and will remove a few stitches and start that part again. Sleeves are already finished and seem fine. I usually find that if I'm not feeling inspired to work on a project it usually means something is wrong with it. Unfortunately, it can take a while to figure out what it is. Oh well, got there in the end. That's one of the nice things about knitting; nothing will break/end/go bad/damn you to hell if you have to start again. Unless you're knitting to a deadline, which I avoid most of the time.

Also continued to work on the other pullover now called Blue Moss, haven't really been neglecting this project it's just slow. I did figure out how to work the increases in Moss Stitch so I'm sure decreases won't be too hard when the time comes. Almost done the increases on the sleeves. This is definitely a long term project as moss stitch takes forever to work and the yarn is a light sport weight. Wonder if I can finish in time for fall. Honestly, probably not but it makes a nice thought.

And finally; I made some progress on the loom knitted blanket.This is awkward to work on because the knitting board is so long, I definitely see why the larger ones are made into a loop, and there is an ever so slight serious danger of knocking stuff off tables. Plus it puts strain on the arms and shoulders moving it around, on the plus side it works up quite quickly. Although, I do keep thinking I need to mount it on a stand or something. Not sure if any such thing exists though and my handy-(wo)man skills are probably not up to making something like that. The picture below shows the wrapped pegs on the left with two yarns and the worked pegs on the right with one yarn. I'm not posting a 'how to' here, there are plenty of books and YouTube videos out there if you're curious.

A$$ Juice Cozy Part II

For Part I click here.

Here it is in all it's glory. Currently being modeled by a wine bottle. It's wool so it I don't imagine there will be any problems getting it to stretch over the A$$ Juice bottle; I think that one is a bit wider around than a standard wine bottle.

Pattern: see below
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight
Needle: 5.0mm
Gauge: 6.4 stitches / inch (gauge not critical)

Pattern

(Please note that I wrote this out without testing, expect errors.)

Cast on 6 stitches.
Join in the round being careful not to twist.
Place stitch markers between all stitches.
Rnd 1 - kfb into all stitches
Rnd 2 (and all even rounds) - knit
Rnd 3 - kfb twice, *sm kfb twice, rep from * to end of round
Rnd 5 - kfb, knit to 1 stitch before the marker, kfb, *sm, kfb, knit to 1 stitch before the marker, kfb, rep from * to end of round

Continue until the circle is slightly smaller than the bottle you want it for, you want it to stretch at bit to fit. This does not need to be exact, it will stretch, especially if you use wool. Once you have reached your desired circumference remove the stitch markers leaving only one to mark the beginning of the round.

Switch to working 2X2 rib in the round.
Continue in rib until you reach desired length.
Bind off.
Enjoy beverage.

A$$ Juice Cozy

Sigh.

Due to a slight mix-up at work I find myself required to knit an A$$ Juice Cozy.

Allow me to explain: there is a bottle of truly vile liquor on the board room table and if you miss your weekly goal you are required to drink a shot during the Friday afternoon meeting. And if you are away on Friday and fail to submit a goal to the office manager then everyone else chooses for you.

I did actually submit a goal, I have time-stamped email proof!

I decided to knit the cozy anyway. It's way, way, way better than being required to perform a rap song written by yourself. Shudder.

39 Years Young

Yep, it's my birthday today!

My birthday present to myself was clean dogs. Not terribly exciting unless you were in the same room with them.

Celebrated on Sunday with the family. Also not terribly exciting. But I enjoyed it.

Trial by Booties

Baby booties that is.

Tried EZ's Star Booty pattern this time. Not sure about the cast on I chose, will definitely try another one next time.

They are cute though.