ISE 10 Progres

In true womanly fashion...

I picked a totally different pattern AND yarn since last I posted. Although the first yarn I picked was a beautiful color it was a little too scratchy for a scarf. Blogger was acting up the other day or else I would have posted pictures of my first pick. While cleaning out my stash, I happened upon some hanks that were similar in color but softer. I am loving the pattern I decided to go with which is a great pattern for anybody new to lace or cables. I’ve worked with cables before and feel confident with them but I’m a novice when it comes to lace. I have to say I am very proud of how this scarf is turning out. I can’t wait to block it and see it all laid out flat and pretty. Yesterday we visited a new yarn store in downtown Seattle. I love the name! So Much Yarn...The ladies were very nice and although we came about 5 minutes before they were closing, Maureen found the perfect yarn to start her ISE 10 project. I am excited to see what she turns out with the magical coppery yarn she found!

What to choose what to choose....

I am starting to look at patterns/fibers for my project which is a scarf for this scarf exchange. Now that I have had a few clarifying questions answered, I am confident that I can make something that my partner will like! I have three patterns in mind all from Ravelry.

This Horizontal Wave is first on my list.
Second is this Shifting Sands Pattern.
The third does not have a web address but it is called Knitting Meets Crochet by Suzanne Middlebrooks and Gayle Vickers. It is a fairly simple lace pattern with a croched edging. They used Noro Silk Garden and it looks beautiful.

As for yarns, I am sure I will just end up going to one of our local knitting stores to look, but have been doing some homework online. I like to look at knitpicks. I like how you can look at their patterns and calculate how much the project is going to cost. These are some of my favorite places to shop locally for yarn:

Acorn Street Shop located just north of u-village.
Pacific Fabrics, I normally go to the one in Northgate.

What projects are you pondering?

Still in stitches....

Life has changed. Our house is full of baby joy, baby toys and a crazy 15 month old who gets into everything. Still, knitting is something I enjoy and I didn't give it up when I became a mother. In a few weeks the International Scarf exchange 10 starts! I am very excited to get my swap partner! Hooray!

Always something new...

I mailed my ISE 7 scarf today. I hope my swap person enjoys! I've been on a quest to learn sock knitting and here's what I"ve done so far.

This little cutie, which i did not knit a sibling for...


And these are what I"m working on right now...

I am working on them at the same time so I won't get burned out after finishing one..like I did for that little guy on the right...

If anybody has any input or tricks for sock knitting I"d love to hear them!

Free Hand Tie

I have a friend, most Fridays when his co-workers are wearing casual attire, he wears a tie. He likes to get all sorts of ties to wear so when I drew his name for our geeksmas exchange this year, I was excited because I knew exactly what I was going to do. I looked at several tie patterns online, even found one with a Chevy logo knit into it. (not exactly my taste but I"m sure there's a market) I ended up sort of free handing this pink tie. I went back and stitched the lower case j. I did not get a picture of Jon wearing his tie, almost immediately as it was opened, his children claimed it as a toy. (i have a spy at Jon's work so we'll see if he actually wears it!, i made it in his favorite color which hopefully will tip the scales in my free hand knitted tie's favor)

ISE 7 Take Two

Wavy Baby Afghan Finished!

Behold, the baby afghan is finished. I liked this pattern and will definitely use it again! I am now moving on to a secret squirrel project that is due next Saturday and then I will try to finish up the scarf for ISE 7.

mini yarn balls

these stitch markers are going to my scarf pal for the ise7.

Swaps and Facebook

Just wanted to let you all know that we at the Knit Kat have started a swap page over on Facebook. You can join and we can do yarn swaps. Some of us may have put a kabash buying yarn in 2009 and well, maybe some of us are already a little tired of our stash. The group is called The Voyage of the Yarn Trader and everyone should be able to join! Hope to see you there!

New Addition and New Masthead

Ok, Kendra has started posting on the Knit Kat, let's all welcome her and tip our needles in her general direction. It's been a busy few weeks here, but I"ve managed a little knitting and a new masthead. The quote "Different Stitches for Different Bitches" comes to you directly from a knitting lesson with my favorite student Maureen. She was knitting in a totally new to me way which was working just fine, and the phrase just popped right out!

Since there's more than one knit kat now, I thought the sentiment was appropriate.

Happy Knitting...

baby things

some progress

this is what i have so far for my ise pal. i had to stop work about 24in into the last one because of a wool allergy. then i started again about 5 more times with different yarns and different patterns and finally settled on this.

Project of the Moment

There are several projects in the works here. My ISE7 scarf has started to take shape and this sweet little afghan. I am in love with all of the colors I am working with in both projects and can't wait until they are finished and given to their intended people.

I am using a brick pattern for the scarf and wave pattern for the afghan. Both yarns are from Knit Picks. I am extremely happy with the cotton I am using for the afghan. The colors are bright and the yarn works up so easily. The problem is I can't go to Knit Picks too much because I fear I may soon purchase these needle sets and spend WAY too much money! (i'm sure they are a great value, or at least I could conn myself into thinking so long enough to place the order)

Cast On for ISE7

Christmas Gift from Kendra!

My friend Kendra is a gifted knitter and this year she graced me with a hand knit delight for part of my Christmas gift. Actually it is more than delightful if you count the hand made stick pins she made to accompany this cupcake pin cushion. I am only a little concerned that the deliciousness of the toppers will entice some tiny human into taking a bite someday.

Knit Picks

So, I am gearing up for the ISE7 here at the Tiki Lodge and just bought an armful of yarn at Knit Picks to use! I also purchased some cotton which is going to become that sweet wavy afghan I posted about months ago but probably smaller for yet another baby someone I know is having.

I have never used Knit Picks but have been looking there for a while. They seem to have some very good deals on higher end yarn. I will make sure and post a review of the yarn and the customer service so if you've been riding the fence you can make an informed decision about buying yarn online.

Slipper Socks for Christmas

Today is the gift exchange at the preschool where I teach music once a week and I was included which is a very nice feeling when you only see your co-workers once a week. The person who I had to get a gift for likes purple and wants things in a vanilla or lavender scent. I am planning on getting some smelly cream or lotion to go with these footie socks which I knit the other day using a pattern from Ravelry.

The top photo is a cute little elf footie I am working on for a very precious little cutie who I got to babysit for the other day! Hopefully she can wear them on Christmas and be our little elf!

Both projects were done with Homespun by Lion Brand, the bigger footie has a light celery green trim and I am sad to say I have no idea where it's from or even what it is. It was given to me by a friend of a friend.

Third Hat and the Reason I've Been Quiet

I knit another hat for my dad and finished it just in time to give it to him for an early Christmas present. We celebrated Christmas while home for Thanksgiving. My dad loved his hat and wore it almost immediately after receiving it. Here he is with my mom at Macy's in Chicago in front of the giant Christmas tree in the walnut room.

I knit this one in Cascade 220 black and another 220 that was sort of greenishbrown. (yes that's one word sillies)

This is the hat I knit for my brother as a Christmas gift. I am really happy with the bright rainbow of colors! He actually asked for such a bright hat to go with his snowboarding coat. I have another hat on the needles, this one is for my dad. It is not as bright:)

This hat is done in Cascade 220 Black and Red Heart and Sole sock yarn.

It is Finished!

I finished the hat! I am quite sure that the gentleman who gets this one will like it!

I even started a new one!

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