wickedsnowblue

world's most classiest anklets, in progress

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:54:56 GMT

Yes, I gave it a PA. Heh heh.

Cabled Coffee Cozy

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:17:29 GMT

IMG_5553
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

IMG_5552
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

I totally made a sweater for my coffee cup, ha ha!

The pattern can be found here

Hmmm

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:08:19 GMT

IMG_5500
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

I don't think of teal and purple as being very close in color but maybe they were too similar for felting. You can barely make the skulls and crossbones out after felting. Oh well. It works, anyway. Thanks to my wonderful husband for rushing out and buying me a mocha to test it out! <3

No Glove, No Love

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:11:59 GMT

IMG_5477
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

The Cash Iroha "Evangeline" glove I was working on while Margaret got tattooed. It was such a little tattoo that I think I only did three or four rows. Well, it's done now.

This yarn feels soooo nice against the skin. I wish I had enough to make the elbow length version. Next time.

Gretel

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:06:57 GMT

Finally finished! It's only been a few days but it feels like much longer. I had a lot of problems losing my count and forgetting where I was, then not noticing until a row or two later. I didn't end up having to bind off that cast-on row. I just unraveled the first row of it and it was perfect. I don't know how it stayed together but it did.

gretelside
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

gretelback
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

That little point in back will go away when I get the hat wet. I normally wash them immediately but I want to wear it tomorrow and it won't be dry in time if I do.

There were instructions given for a fitted style, "regular" (like a traditional tam) and slouchy. I went with regular. It turned out to be almost the same dimensions as my Shenanigan. It fits just the way I like a hat to fit - over the bun, not hanging down on my neck. Cashmere-silk Cash Iroha is only my favorite yarn ever. And I'm terribly proud of all that cabling. I've done cables before but this is the most tricky cabling I've done to date. I messed up in places but I fixed it and it came out perfect. I so love this hat. :)

Margaret's birthday hat

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:54:34 GMT

coronet
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

It's her birthday today and I gave it to her already so here is the picture, finally. So much better than the one I made for myself! Just your basic Cascade 220 Tweed but it's not itchy with all that mohair like the Lamb's Pride has.

Gretel, you're making me crazy!

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:35:01 GMT

IMG_5429
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

Just a few rows away from the decreases, I decided it looked big enough to try on. So I did. Or tried. I can't get the thing on my head. The fancypants tubular cast-on is beautiful but tight. So, so tight. Way too tight. Look at all that beautiful cabling I just did! *whimper* I was just about resigned to having to rip it all out and start over when Raven pointed out I could just unravel the beginning and cast off. I am so doing that. Thanks, kid!

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:07:26 GMT

Still plugging away at the braided cable scarf. I really love the design but I hate the yarn. It's the mohair in the Lamb's Pride. It sheds all over everything. I can't stand it! It was stash yarn. I am using it because I don't have a yarn budget right now. No new yarn for me. I have to work with what I have. So I realized at some point that I am putting all this energy into making a scarf I love that I also hate, that I am never going to want to wear because it sheds. That might be when I lost interest in it. I'll finish it anyway. I just don't know when.

For now, I'm busy learning the tubular cast-on so I can make the Gretel hat out of black Cash Iroha. I'd started knitting a leafy lace pattern scarf out of it but decided I don't need two black Cash Iroha scarves. I think I have enough Cash Iroha to do the Gretel hat and a short pair of Evangeline gloves. Lots of cables in those Evangelines but gloves are small projects so it shouldn't make me too crazy.

No Excuses

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:40:33 GMT

So I remembered an old pair of headphones that I got for free from Bolt.com back in the day. I gave them to the kid a long time ago because I wasn't using them but she doesn't like how they fit. I wanted something to use in the gym so she just gave them back. They lost the foam thingers a long time ago so I decided to try knitting my own covers.

The speakers are about 2" across so my first thought was to knit the pasties from Naughty Needles and make them slightly larger than 2". I was going to use elastic or make a drawstring to tighten them up. But then it occurred to me to use elastic yarn and make teeny tiny berets instead. So I did! :D And it worked! I started out with a small number of stitches and ribbing to keep them in place, then did an increase row and some straight stockinette. I put some eyelets in the middle where the holes are on the speakers to let the sound through a little better.

Here's my teeny tiny hat. :D

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

And stretched out over the speaker thingers.

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

I'm calling them No Excuses because not having headphones was my last excuse to avoid the gym. These will fit 2" diameter headphone speakers.

Materials:
Less than 1 skein of Cascade Fixation
US size 4 dpns

Cast on 16 stitches. Distribute on the needles however you wish. I put 4 each on needles 1 and 2 and 8 on needle 3.
Do 3 rounds of k2p2 ribbing.
The next round, knit into the front and back of every stitch. You now have 32 stitches.
Knit four rounds plain.
Next round, work in eyelet pattern. Yo, k2tog around. Knit one row plain. Repeat these two rows one time.
Yo, k2tog for one round.
Next round, k2tog around.
Next round, Yo, k2tog around.
Last round, k2tog around.
Break yarn and weave in ends. Stretch it to fit your headphones and make one more for the other side. I found this to be a VERY tight fit because of the small number of cast-on stitches. It took a little time and wiggling but I got it to stretch. I don't want it to ever come off so I like it that way.

Braids Down to There - preview

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:56:58 GMT

IMG_5380
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

I couldn't wait. Here it is in progress. I know it's very simple but it's turning out just as I wanted so...yay!

Braids Down to There

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:18:15 GMT

This is my pattern for a braided cable scarf inspired by the Coronet and Irish Hiking Scarf and my love of braids in general.

Yarn: 2 skeins Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted (or 300-400 yards of any worsted/heavy worsted yarn).
Needles: US size 9 (but feel free to go larger or smaller). You will also need a spare DPN or a cable needle.
Gauge: Unimportant

C6F: Slip three stitches to your cable needle and hold to the front. Knit the next three stitches, then knit the three stitches from your cable needle.
C6B: Slip three stitches to your cable needle and hold to the back. Knit the next three stitches, then knit the three stitches from your cable needle.

Cast on 51 stitches.

Row 1. (RS) K4, P2, K9, P2, K2, P2, K9, P2, K2, P2, K9, P2, K4
Row 2. (WS) K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2
Row 3. (RS) K4, P2, C6F, K3, P2, K2, P2, C6F, K3, P2, K2, P2, C6F, K3, P2, K4
Row 4. (WS) K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2
Row 5. (RS) K4, P2, K9, P2, K2, P2, K9, P2, K2, P2, K9, P2, K4
Row 6. (WS) K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2
Row 7. (RS) K2, P2, K2, K3, C6B, K2, P2, K2, K3, C6B, K2, P2, K2, K3, C6B, K2, P2, K2
Row 8. (WS) K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2

Repeat rows 1-8 until desired length, ending on row 5 (I think - haven't gotten to this part yet). Bind off in pattern. I like my scarves to be about 5' long but make it longer depending on your height. I'm 4'10 1/2" so I assume no one would want to make it shorter. :D

Pictures coming when it's done!

Coronet

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:05:58 GMT

IMG_5379
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

Finished tonight. I need a new brainless project to have going in my knitting bag. I'm working on a lace scarf and there are some lace gloves I have yet to begin but I can't do those in the car. I have to pay too much attention. Hmmm.

Braided Gauntlets

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:21:46 GMT

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

All done! The one on the left has a wonky cable that I was too lazy to go back and fix. Oh well!

Manly Violet

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:42:39 GMT

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

Hat for my 70+-year-old CEO. A man, by the way. He asked for it! I am sure he was joking but I don't care. If he wears it, he rules. It's 100% baby alpaca so if nothing else, I'm sure he'll wear it at home when no one's around because it is super soft and snuggly, like a kitten.

Ellen's beret

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:08:13 GMT

lilacback
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

Yet another Rollin' Beret. This one's for my sister's birthday in July. I know it's February. Well, at least I won't be stressing at the last minute. Plus, I wanted to use up this lilac alpaca to get it out of my stash. I have too much of it and I don't wear this color. I almost made her some slippers instead because she said something about having cold feet in her house but slippers would take too long and might get messed up in the felting process.

I finished my other brother's birthday hat too. It looks just like the previous green beanie I posted so there's no point in that. And I have a present for Margaret too but of course I am not talking about it!

Bob's Beanie

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:01:30 GMT

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

This is for my brother's birthday if the douche ever gets around to sending me his address. I asked last year and he never responded so I didn't send him anything. I asked again this year and he hasn't responded yet. So he may or may not get it but I made it so...whatever.

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:59:31 GMT

snoody
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

IMG_5201
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

First knitting update in a while. I slid when I was waiting for the yarn for Margaret's hat to show up. I probably won't go back and put up all the stuff I've done in the meanwhile because it would take too long. Here's the latest. It's an eyelet hat made of cotton so I can wear it over messy hair in warmer weather. I came up with the pattern myself. I'm terribly proud of it.

Here is how I made it.

1 skein Cascade Fixation (did not use the whole skein)
US size 6 circulars, 16"
US size 15 circulars, 16"
US size 11 dpns (only because I don't have dpns in 15 - these are used at the very end)

Using smallest needles, cast on 80 stitches. Knit in 2x2 ribbing for an inch. Switch to largest needles and work in eyelet pattern. Eyelet pattern: knit plain for one row. Yo, ktog (repeat) all across the next row. Repeat these two rows for 5" (or however long you want it) and start the decreases. To avoid a point, you are decreasing every row.

Decrease row 1: k14, k2tog
Decrease row 2 is an eyelet row. Here is where it gets tricky. For purposes of counting, I counted each yo as one stitch and each k2tog as one stitch. So counting each yo and each non-decrease k2tog as one stitch each, k13, k3tog. (Alternatively, place five stitch markers evenly around the needles and work in pattern until the last three stitches before each marker, then k3tog. I found it easier to count.)
Decrease row 3: k12, k2tog
Decrease row 4 (eyelet): k11, k2tog
Decrease row 5: k10, k2tog
Decrease row 6 (eyelet): K9, k2tog
Decrease row 7: k8, k2tog
Decrease row 8 (eyelet): k7, k2tog
Decrease row 9 (For what it's worth, this is where I had to switch to the dpns): k6, k2tog
Decrease row 10 (eyelet): k5, k2tog
Decrease row 11: k4, k2tog
Decrease row 12 (eyelet): k3, k2tog
Decrease row 13: k2, k2tog.
Decrease row 14 (eyelet): k1, k2tog
Decrease row 15: k2tog around. Break the yarn, weave in your ends, wash and block and you're done!

The eyelets would probably show better with a different yarn. I used Fixation because it was the only cotton yarn I had on hand. I'm going to do it again with some thinner yarn when I get my hands on it. I think I'll stick with the Fixation for the ribbed part though.

stupid

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:32:32 GMT

My Cascade 200 Tweed came yesterday, finally! I got started on those Dashing gloves right away. I am really glad I did not have to wait longer to start them. Kind of stressing out about getting things done.

I only needed one skein for the gloves but I bought three in the same color (olive tweed). Olive green is Sandy's favorite color and I thought I would make him some stuff too. Mistake. He already has hats and gloves, he would only wear a scarf in the snow (I don't have time to make one) and he, "doesn't get cold." I was asking him what he would want and that is what he said. That he appreciates the hand knits but he already has things to wear. Douche. I know he has things to wear. He's wearing old hats I made earlier in the year when I was just learning and they're embarrassing me. He thinks more highly of them than I think he should.

So I have all this olive green yarn that is not remotely flattering on me and a husband who doesn't get cold. In the meanwhile, I am a human iceberg and I'm going to freeze my ass off in the snow. I should have bought a color I'd wear.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:29:50 GMT

Trying again with the i-cord. The six-stitch is too narrow, possibly only because I did it on 10 ½ needles rather than 15s like the rest of the bag. I'm doing it on 15s this time. I didn't want to do that only because I don't have dpns. I have to slip the stitches down a circular. Kind of a hassle. But doing that. Also doing 9 stitches just because I like the number 9.

I was pretty unhappy to see what looked like vivid stained glass (in person - you'll just have to trust me on that one) turn to washed out, barely-there braid. However, once I attached the button, I had the thought that it looks like something expensive from a boutique. Well, that's what I'm telling myself. Don't burst my bubble!

Anyways. Still working on the stupid bag! It was just supposed to be a quick diversion from all the holiday knitting I've been doing. I've made a very small number of gifts. I just don't have time or yarn money to do very much here. And I need cold weather stuff for myself. I started making a bobble hat but all the p3tog'ing is exhausting. It just takes forever. This is the third or fourth version of the hat I've been making from my red alpaca/silk. I started a bobble hat, hated it and frogged it. I started a plain stockinette beret but it was really thin compared with the bobble hat. Totally not going to cut it in snow. It is currently 12 degrees F in Taos. So I went back to Ravelry and looked through people's hats. I found someone who pointed out a flaw in the bobble hat pattern. Row three is k1, p1, k1 into the same stitch. The pattern says to p1, k1, p1 into the same stitch on both bobble rows. When I tried it again with the correction, I liked the bobbles better. So that's what I'm doing now. It is taking a long time. I wish I had some soft, chunky yarn. I'll just have to get over it.

If I can't get this hat done in time, I'm going to use two or three strands of Gjestal Nagano and whip out a fast beret in the car on the way there. The ones I have aren't thick enough. I don't want my earlobes to turn purple. Well, I'll whip out a fast beret in the car if I'm not also trying to frantically whip out mittens and/or a scarf. See, I could just go to Target and buy this stuff but how lame would that be? I knit! I should be wearing my own stuff. I do it better than the kids in China. I guess it would also be lame to show up in ice and snow and freeze my ass off because I am too snooty for pre-made knits. Well, not like heaters weren't invented.

Still waiting for the yarn for EdD's Dashing gloves. I decided if it isn't in my mailbox by Wednesday, I'm going to just make him some out of the gray Lamb's Pride. It's not as soft as Cascade 220 and it isn't the first color I would have picked for him but I don't have time to finish the felted chain by Friday night. I have two links done.

almost done

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:53:58 GMT

IMG_4837
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

This six-stitch i-cord strap is too narrow. I'll be redoing it. I added a button and loop though because I couldn't stand the flappy action. I suppose if I'd attached handles as the pattern called for, that would be minimized. I just didn't think they would look right. But I like the button.

It still needs handles

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:46:31 GMT

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

Before felting.

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

With a shoe on it for comparison.

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

After felting. So small!

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Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

You can only see the braid from a distance. Well, crap.

bad news today

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:54:25 GMT

My Yahoo horoscope for today says:

"Today your inner MacGyver will be out in full force, and you'll be fixing all sorts of problems with your own special brand of creativity. From dealing with something as minor as a broken zipper to handling something as major as work fallout from a missed deadline, you will master every little (unpleasant) surprise that comes your way. This is not to say that you should go out and seek controversy, however. Be sure to keep your eyes on you own paper -- and mind your manners."

I'm knitting a chain. I don't know that it fixes anything but...it makes me feel better.

Not USC mittens

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:29:56 GMT

IMG_4718
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

The finished Gryffindor House mittens for Heather. Finally all done with that whole project!

They look pretty different in the picture but when I put them on top of each other, they match up perfectly. I think it's just because the one on the left was tried on by so many people and the one on the right was just finished and tried on once. Anyways. They're done!

These are my first finished mittens and I'm quite proud of them.

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:38:37 GMT

House Mittens = Million times easier than Hermione ones. Without all the cabling and bobbling, they're just zipping along. I'm working on the thumb gusset of the second one now. If I don't finish the pair tonight, I'll have it done tomorrow. Either way, I can have them in the mail this weekend. I'm not washing them first. I usually wash anything I knit before giving it away but these, I just want to get in the mail and get them off my brain. I've had this whole project (the Gryffindor scarf, the Hermione hat and the mittens) looming over me all this autumn. Never again will I agree to do this much knitting for one person unless maybe that person is me! I don't even have a scarf worthy of wearing in public. How lame is that?

Raven tried on the first completed Gryffindor mitten (also my first completed mitten, ever) and I could tell she was wishing she hadn't gone on at length about how lame it would be to wear handmade mittens in the snow. She wants a pair but she won't admit it. She said very weakly, "They'd get wet." Fine. They'd get wet. I'm not making mittens for either of my kids. They say they don't want them and I'm not wasting my time convincing them they do. If I have time, I'll make some for Sandy. I was going to make a pair of Dashing gloves for him but when I thought about it, he would never wear fingerless gloves. He'd either not wear them at all or he'd wear fingered ones. So maybe mittens and a hat. I don't know. I need for that green Cascade 220 to show up! I need to have a pair of finished Dashing gloves by the 21st. I don't have extra money to hit the yarn store and find something else. Crap.

I am ready to pick the lettering off my Knucks. It was a nice idea but it looks like crap. I'm tired of apologizing for it.

I may have found my perfect hat pattern. I don't think I have enough red alpaca to do it. Thinking. Thinking.

IMG_4683

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:30:58 GMT

IMG_4683
Originally uploaded by Snow Blue

The start of Quant from the current issue of Knitty. I went with the yarn used in the pattern because it's called Taos. I'll be in Taos in a few weeks. See how perfect?! Yeah, not so much. This yarn blows. It's beautiful but it's itchy and scratchy. If it doesn't feel great in my hands, it is not going to feel great over my ears.

I thought about using some leftover charcoal Cashsoft Aran to knit a brim and then use the rest of the Taos to do the top of a hat. Then I get the colors without the itch. The Taos would be on my hair, not my skin. I decided against it. I'll probably need the Cashsoft to finish my red alpaca hat since I had to borrow from my designated hat yarn to finish off Grandma's slippers. Also, charcoal is not the ideal color to go with this skein. I might have done it if I had black or navy Cashsoft. But I don't. Anyways, sticking with Quant. If I like the style and end up wearing it at all, I'll get some Kureyon and do a new one. Kureyon is also 100% wool but it's the one pure wool I've used on my ears that didn't feel itchy.